SWTOR test hints at micro-transactions

Star Wars: The Old Republic blog Darth Hater has noticed language in the terms of service for the game's test registration that might suggest it will support micro-transactions.

The agreement refers to "points" which can be redeemed for items at a "game store". However, it also states that these are non-refundable and have no monetary value, and BioWare reserves the right to add or remove points without warning.

This could mean the points are simply an in-game currency, or it could mean that BioWare retains control over a real-money points system while the game remains in testing.

It's hardly conclusive evidence, although it does bring to mind EA chief John Riccitiello's comment last year that described the Star Wars MMO as a "mid-session", "micro-transaction-based" game. EA later said this was a "misunderstanding".

We would certainly be shocked if EA and LucasArts chose not to charge a subscription for what will certainly be the biggest MMO launch since World of Warcraft. But that doesn't rule out extra evenue streams; Champions Online and EverQuest II, for example, both sell in-game items on top of a monthly subscription.